A father's hands

-
Usually around Christmas time, I start to think about Mary.  But this year, I've been thinking a lot more about Joseph.  His seems to be more of a background story, the faithful pillar that lends support in silence.  We don't know a lot about him.  We know that he was espoused (engaged) to Mary when he found out that she was pregnant.  He must have been consumed with a whole spectrum of emotions.  I imagine there was some anger, disbelief, embarrassment, heart-break, grief, and probably more anger.  Despite this, Joseph did not want to hurt or humiliate Mary.  I imagine he went to his knees for solace, thus an angel came to visit him.  After all, angels usually appear as the result of prayer.  We know the angel told Joseph to make Mary his wife.  The angel also told Joseph that Mary was carrying the child the prophets had foretold, the Savior of the world.  Joseph knew that Jesus was the Christ before almost any other mortal man or woman.  (Matthew 1:18-24)

I suppose most of us have that typical nativity scene in our minds: Joseph leading Mary on a donkey to Bethlehem, unable to find a room, standing silently by while the world changed forever.  But if we delve a little deeper into Joseph's world, another image emerges.

Joseph was a carpenter and likely had a workshop he had to carefully secure before leaving for an extended trip.  This was no day trip, but rather days of travel on the road for a long stay far from home.  He would have attended to their home, securing their belongings, paying debts, making arrangements with neighbors so that their animals (chances are they had a least a few) and possessions would be cared for.  Joseph also had a very pregnant, very young wife.  A wife who was surely as cranky, tired, swollen and afraid as any expectant mother would be.  The miracle of Mary's conception did not remove the mortality of it.  Joseph, in addition to the worries of a provider and protector, had all the burdens of a husband.  He probably tried to secure the most comfortable travel possible for Mary, maybe a wagon filled with hay to soften to bumps on the road.  (Despite common portrayals of the story, there is no mention of Mary on a donkey's back in the scriptures.)  Joseph also had to assemble their clothing, food, water, money and other necessities for the trip.  I'm sure Mary helped, but given the closeness of Christ's birth, I imagine Joseph tried to let her rest.

I imagine that the trip was long and difficult for both Mary and Joseph: Mary, obviously, great with child and probably in the early stages of labor; Joseph trying to travel as quickly as possible.  When they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room at the inn.  Doubtless, this was an unexpected surprise for Joseph and his child-heavy, road-weary wife.  Relegated to a stable - most likely a stinky, dank cave rather than a hay filled barn - "the days were accomplished that she should be delivered."   Joseph was thrust into the position of mid-wife.  There is no mention of other women or doctors present, though we can imagine that Joseph would have sought help.  To lowly, frightening, dirty conditions conditions came the Christ child.  (Luke 2:4-7)

I think back to the joyful, exhausted, painful hours that surround my son's birth.  I imagine how tired, afraid, and happy Mary was.  I remember how tired, afraid and happy my husband was.  I imagine Joseph's tender hands, shaking, as he cradled his first-born son.  Yes, Joseph's first-born son, too.  No random father chosen for the Son of God - but a worthy, righteous man that would willingly take the role of father.  Joseph did not love Jesus from a step away, Joseph loved Jesus as a father loves a son.

Across the spans of time, Joseph's story lives on.  His is a story of willing hands, of gentle heart, of obedience, and - ultimately - of love.  We don't hear a lot about Joseph in the scriptures beyond our introduction, but it is likely that Joseph was present for the birth, death and glorious return of Jesus Christ.  He held the Son of God in the hollow of his hand.

"And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ." - Matthew 1:16

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On Becoming

-
Image
When my daughter was born, a new person was born inside of me.  One that thought a lot more about what it meant to be other, outside, and different.  I had lived my whole life inside the comfortable confines of being a middle class white person.  Sure, my parents struggled and lived on the fringes of consumerism.  We had enough, but only just.  My dad worked hard, my mom worked hard, and we got by with enough.  I never spent a whole lot of time considering what not enough looks like.  I had what I needed, I never went hungry, and my parents provided toys and movies and other entertainments that are the hallmark of what we might consider American life. But, when my daughter came to us with a complicated background, this new person inside me started to wonder.  Why were circumstances for others so different from my own?  How would her life be different with another family? What if her birth mother had decided a different path?   These questions, and lots of others, were pushed and enlarg
Read more

Forty three

-
 My sister told me I should blog again.  A lot has happened since I did this thing - I'm a little rusty.  In the last few years, I've sort of relinquished the dream of being a writer - like, a real writer, not a hobby writer - and so the act of writing became...less.  Less important, less often, less satisfying.  It's an instrument out of tune. Why relinquish the dream? Life got busy.  A lot has changed.  In the 5 years since I blogged regularly: My son graduated high school and went on a two year mission for our church. My daughter turned 12, 13, 14, and 15.  Fifteen!   We moved a couple of times. Trump became president.  I got a job and started teaching, then principal-ing and now director-ing.  I'm buried in it right now. My brothers both moved away. A pandemic. My parents moved away (just last week, after a long time planning). And lots of other small and big moments, mashed together in a blur. Now here I am, still trying to figure me out.   I used to think that whe
Read more

And I didn't prepare a speech!

-
Image
My first, and probably only, blogger award! Yay! Thanks to That Girl in Brazil, not only uber cute but uber sweet. I'm supposed to pass on the love to other bloggers by linking them and then posting in their comments. But, seriously, how much more ad space do you guys need? Ok, ok, fine. I pick Mary cause she totally posted her flip flops. And justRandi cause she said she'd come to my house if I sent her an invite. And llegue because she made reference to a certain male body part while shopping in Wal-Mart, plus she beats me at games. and Heather because she makes me giggle and she comments even when my posts are lame. Just passin the <3 I feel super guilty for not linking everybody. But, you wouldn't be on my blog roll if I didn't think you were super cool.
Read more